Ohio voters say 48 - 42 percent that Gov. John Kasich's desire to reduce the state income tax
and increase revenues from the sales tax is a bad idea, according to a Quinnipiac University poll
released today.

Mirroring results in other states surveyed by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, 90 percent of Ohio voters, including 86 percent of voters in households where
there is a gun, favor background checks for all gun purchases. By a smaller 53 - 44 percent
margin, voters favor a nationwide ban on assault weapons. Gun-owners oppose such a ban
60 - 38 percent.

Ohio voters say 57 - 33 percent that gun ownership makes people safer rather than less
safe and say 49 - 40 percent that the National Rifle Association rather than President Barack
Obama best reflects their views on guns.

"Gov. John Kasich is popular, but voters don't like his view that the income tax should be
cut and the sales tax broadened as a preferable way to raise state revenue," said Peter A. Brown,
assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "When it is explained to them
that Kasich wants to cut the income tax from 5.5 to 5 percent and increase the services that
would be subject to the sales tax, they like that idea even less, 51 - 40 percent."

As the third anniversary approaches of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, so-called
"Obama Care," Ohio voters say 39 - 14 percent that the new health law will hurt rather than help
them personally. Another 39 percent say it won't affect them.

Voters agree 48 - 42 percent with the idea of opening up the state Medicaid program to
more recipients.

"Although voters overall like expanding Medicaid, Republicans oppose it 65 - 24
percent, a significant number given the GOP House could block the plan," said Brown.

"On gun policy public opinion might be seen as a paradox," said Brown. "Voters
overwhelming favor background checks for those buying guns and want to ban assault weapons
and ammunition clips with more than 10 bullets - positions that are in opposition to those
espoused by the NRA. Yet, they see the NRA more in tune with their views on gun policy than
President Barack Obama, who favors background checks and bans on assault weapons and high-
capacity magazines.

"Moreover, on the key question of whether guns make society safer or less safe, by
almost 2-1 voters see them as making society safer. Asked whether they would favor stricter gun
control laws, 41 percent say yes, while 11 percent say they should be made less strict and 44
percent say existing laws are about right."

Ohio voters are divided in their opinion of President Barack Obama, giving him a 48 - 47
percent job approval rating. In terms of how people like him personally, he gets virtually an
identical score, with 49 percent viewing him favorably, 46 percent unfavorably.

From February 21 - 26, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,011 registered voters with a
margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.

For more information or RSS feed, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call
(203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter.

6. Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

20. Governor Kasich wants to change the state's tax system by decreasing the income tax and expanding use of the sales tax. In general, do you think decreasing state income tax and expanding state sales tax is a good idea or a bad idea?

21. Governor Kasich's proposal would reduce the sales tax rate from 5.5 percent to 5 percent, but expand the types of purchases that would be taxed including tickets, haircuts, lobbyists and legal services. Do you think that reducing the sales tax rate and expanding the types of purchases that would be taxed is a good idea or a bad idea?

23. As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in Ohio is a good idea or a bad idea?

24. From what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the health care law that was enacted in 2010? IF APPROVE: Do you strongly approve or somewhat approve? IF DISAPPROVE: Do you somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove?

25. From what you've heard or read, do you think the 2010 health care law will mostly help you personally, will mostly hurt you personally, or don't you think it will have much of an effect on you personally?

33. If a member of Congress who represents your district were to vote for a ban on the sale of assault weapons, would you be more likely to vote for that person, less likely to vote for that person, or wouldn't it make a difference?